Leola pulled her knee to her chest and rocked back onto the couch cushion. “Now. What would have ever given you that idea?”
“Well, Wylie South said something about it. He mentioned that Crystal might have run around with your husband.”
Leola ground her next words into the dirt. “Ex-husband.”
“Okay, ex-husband. But that’s what he said. Did Crystal do that?”
Leola’s features froze into a completely neutral position. “That girl ruined my life and plenty of other folks’ lives around here. She didn’t care who she ran around with—whether they were married or not. All she cared about was the gifts that were lavished on her. My husband got suckered by that woman.”
Willard reached out and placed a hand on Leola’s shoulder. It struck me as odd. I mean, Leola was this strange river woman who lived in a camper commune. That Willard would show her kindness surprised me.
I supposed that it shouldn’t have because Willard was the town pharmacist. Pharmacists were supposed to care about people and do their best to keep folks healthy.
Leola spoke. “My ex got suckered by Crystal hook, line and sinker. He up and left me for her, taking the house and the money. Then he spent every last dime sending them on trips and leaving me here by myself to rot. He died a few years ago from a heart attack. I didn’t get one cent, which was okay. I didn’t need his money. I have the camper and can make do just fine with it.”
Well. That was certainly a story. “I’m sorry about what Crystal did to you.”
“Me too,” she said sourly. “I’m sorrier that she suckered my ex. That no-good tramp was a piece of work.” She shot Willard a look. “I know you always give everyone the benefit of the doubt, but some people are worth giving the boot to.”
Willard’s gaze darted to the floor. “Now, now. It’s always good to give love and kindness when you can.”
“I ain’t giving any of my love to a hussy, plain and simple.”
Well, I suppose that said it all.
“Well, I thank you for your time, Leola,” Rufus said, his voice full of warmth, “and I thank you even more for showing me how to pick apples like a pro.”
Leola cackled. “Aw, kid, you stick with me and by the end of things, you’ll be giving me a run for my money.”
“Perhaps so.” Rufus rose. “Willard, thank you for calling me and setting this up.”
Willard got up from his chair and shook Rufus’s hand. “You’re welcome. Sorry that it didn’t work out.”
“Well, as they say, you win some and you lose some.” Rufus glanced at me, and I made to leave as well.
Willard walked with Rufus toward the door, repeating his words, murmuring that maybe they could find someone else who knew his identity.
I followed and as I did so, Leola grabbed my arm. “You okay?” I asked, thinking that perhaps she had stumbled. I mean, why would Leola be pawing at me?
“I’m fine,” she whispered. “But there are things you need to know.”
Excitement coursed through me. “About who murdered Crystal?”
Yes, I thought, she knows something. She’s got it all figured out. Leola will give me a ripe piece of information that will tell me who I was missing in all of this.
Surely that was what she would say.
But in answer to my question, Leola shook her head. “No, not in relation to Crystal—about Malene.”
Surprised, I replied, “What about Malene?”
She hiked a shoulder to her ear. “Those are things that you’ll have to find out for yourself.”
Well that wasn’t helpful. “Okay. I’ll get right on that.”
Leola patted my arm. “Good. You should.”
A thought occurred to me. “How do you know Willard so well?”Why were you giving each other so many strange looks?
